Microsoft’s E3 press conference this year was always going to focus on its new console – the Xbox One X – first, before games.
The high-powered hardware has been a year in the making so it’s no surprise the tech giant led with its announcement.
However, 42 games in total were also shown off during the pre-E3 event. Here’s the pick of the bunch.
1. Assassin’s Creed Origins
After a short period away, Ubisoft’s big franchise is back and has gone further back into history than ever before.
We’re now in ancient Egypt, which in itself is enough of a stunning landscape to spark new interest in the series.
The gameplay looks familiar still, so it will be interesting to see if the new surroundings are enough to entice players in.
2. Sea Of Thieves
Incredibly popular when it was first announced last year, the open world multiplayer pirate game sees teams of four sail their very own pirate ship.
All the key elements of a pirate’s life are here – sunken ships to be looted, treasure maps to find and then dug up, and epic sea battles with rival ships.
The Xbox exclusive now looks closer to being a finished game, and is now being marked in for an early 2018 launch. Fingers crossed that holds.
3. Anthem
The new series Microsoft chose to close their show with, Anthem is a first person action game where players take on the role of Freelancers, protectors of a human fortress.
It looks as though there will be a heavy amount of customisation and levelling up at the centre of Anthem, as characters wear exo-suits known as Javelins that can be customised and provide a range of super abilities to wearers.
4. Metro Exodus
Nothing says dystopian future quite like mutant rats and bears, and that’s exactly what Metro Exodus is.
The game is based on the post-apocalyptic book series of the same name and follows the events after a nuclear war has devastated the world.
There’s heavy amounts of horror and survival here – right up many gamers’ street.
5. Crackdown 3
Very popular among the Xbox fan base, Crackdown 3 is all about massive amounts of destruction, but set in a bright, neon light-laden world.
Visually it is impressive, and with entire cities open to dismantle it’s something of a playground for gamers.
Crucially, it now finally has a release date too, of November 7, making it a One X launch title.
6. Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
A sequel to 2015’s Ori And The Blind Forest, this platform game follows the same stunning visual aspects as the original.
Incredible lighting and colour brings the natural scenery to life in such a way that you can’t help but be mesmerised by it.
With the visual power of the One X behind it this could be an early star on the new console.
7. Cuphead
Another game that visually catches the eye with its animated early-Disney-like art style, Cuphead is unique for a modern game.
It too has been in the pipeline for some time, but its made platform levels and catchy music mean it’s likely to have been worth the wait.
8. State Of Decay 2
The zombie game market is a crowded one, but the return of State Of Decay should generate some excitement.
That’s because this game is all about co-op, as players team up with three others in order to survive the onslaught of the undead.
The key is to work together and carefully hunt resources, as well as build a community and a home to protect your allies, as well as yourself.
9. Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
Teen drama might not sound like the most obvious subject for a game, but the original Life Is Strange did a great job of approaching it.
Revolving around a student who can pause and rewind time, but enacts the butterfly effect each time they do, it picked up multiple awards.
Now there’s a prequel, which will follow the events preceding the storm that the first game centres around.
